Hike between the steep canyon walls of colorful sculpted sandstone at Georgia’s Providence Canyon State Park.
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View trail map & driving directions |
The park’s unusually sculpted, serpentine canyon walls have dubbed its nickname as Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon” – and though these canyons are far smaller scale than the Arizona giant, this hike is a unique adventure unlike any other in Georgia.
The Providence Canyon Recreation Area offers 3 miles of blazed hiking trails – including a white-blazed trail that treks the canyon’s rim and floor and a red-blazed backcountry trail. The rim and canyon trails offer outstanding views of the sculpted sandstone canyon walls from above and within the depths of the canyon. The orange, white, pink and deep purple canyon walls tower up to 150 feet above the wet, sandy canyon floor below.
The canyon floor trail descends the Providence Canyon visitor center trailhead, switching back as it descends to the canyon floor. The trail levels at the canyon floor, joining a sandy riverbed, turning left here to hike the nine numbered canyons accessible on the trail.
The hike follows stream beds on the canyon floor, the flowing water carrying sand from the canyon walls. Grain by grain, sand has flowed away from Providence’s walls, creating the spectacular rock formations that tower nearly vertically over the trail. (The trail surface is often water-saturated – wear a lightweight hiking boot to grab traction on the canyon’s wet, sandy trails.)
Unlike the canyon’s exceptionally larger cousin in Arizona, Providence Canyon’s walls are formed of fragile, crumbling sandstone. To preserve the fragile geology (and for safety), hikers should stay on blazed trails and off the canyon walls.
Georgia is full of incredible outdoor experiences, if your family is looking to relocate to Georgia, call MJ Thomas of Keller Williams Realty. She is a Georgia Relocation expert and can help you find the perfect place to call home. www.movingwithmj.com.
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